Twitter Really Hates Netflix’s Reality Show ‘Made in Mexico’

Because we live in a Trump-era world, some might actually be ignorant enough to believe that all Mexicans are rapists and criminals. In an attempt to change that hateful narrative about us, on September 28, Netflix released Made In Mexico – a reality show that puts young rich Mexicans center stage. Ironically, the subjects of this documentary series appear as superficial, out-of-touch, and privileged as Ivanka and her siblings.

The ironic part is that I actually was craving a show just like Bravo’s Shahs of Sunset, but after the first episode of Made In Mexico I quickly realized that showing Mexicans as the 1 percent is not doing us any favors.

The cast features nine people – all from wealthy families, all fair-skinned, many of them blonde, and all completely consumed with their social media personas. Now you’re probably thinking that’s what most reality shows are made of, but is this a fair representation of Mexicans? It depends on who you ask.

Rich Mexicans (also known as fresas) are a pretty common sight in Mexico City, but again it’s not how the majority of Mexicans live. Another constant image seen on the show is of darker-skinned women, domestic workers, raising their bosses’ kids and running their bosses’ households. Hmm. Yet still, I was hooked.

Made in Mexico is trash! But I can’t stop watching it… it’s Mexican version of The Hills

I binge-watched the entire series (eight episodes about an hour each), and then the storylines sort of shifted. Yes, these people are self-obsessed, but they also address being on the reality show as it’s happening in real-time. They don’t pretend they’re all friends or as if the cameras weren’t there. That narrative approach is refreshing. The cast knows they’re being watched because of their lifestyle; they know how ridiculous the reality show concept is, and yet they cannot escape their frivolity even while dealing with some “real-life” issues.

If Netflix wants to, I don’t know, perhaps include some brown people next season with real occupations, I may tune in again. But don’t take it from me, here’s what social media is saying.

Colorism

The false notion that having lighter skin makes a person more appealing is something darker-skinned people have been dealing with since forever. While we know that Mexicans come in all colors, the notion that these nine fair-skinned people represent Mexico’s diverse culture is laughable.

@netflix if you’re going to make a show called #MadeInMexico how about you start with casting actual Mexicans instead of white people who now live in Mexico city.

Conflicted on how I feel about the new @netflix reality series #MadeInMexico. Much like a novela, all the dark skinned Mexicans are the servants and all the white skinned Mexicans are the rich. It’s realistic, I guess, but disappointing.

I havent seen anyone talking about this, but, Netflix has a series called Made in Mexico y toda la gente miran como gringos. Like, there has to be indigenous Mexicans with money IN MEXICO, not just ones que miran como los europeos.

Classism + Colorism

Another appalling aspect to the show is the complete separation of upper class and everyone else. The show, and the cast, have no issues parading the division between help and master. The only time you see brown people on the show is when they’re servicing their employer.

Say what you like about Netflix’ new mind-numbing reality show Made In Mexico… but it does very accurately – though seemingly inadvertently – depict the deep racial inequality of Mexico: All of the characters are white and all of the housekeepers are mestizo. #MadeInMexicopic.twitter.com/Q6Gbuz4vE6

Absolutely will not be watching Made in Mexico. So tired of white latinx people being centered. But for those of you that don’t know white Latinos exist, look at that show. And also look at how rich they are. In Latin America, the white Latinos hold all the resources

Privilege

The majority of the cast grew up with money and privilege, and now they live a life of luxury and post it on social media. If they’re not working as models, TV personalities, or bloggers, they’re showcasing their Ivy League education as a facade of helping the community. They don’t generally acknowledge the advantages they’ve had in life and how the affect their current perceived success.

Watching ‘Made in Mexico’ in @NetflixUK and my eyeballs hurt from rolling where did they get these bunch of useless, spoiled rotten ñoños?! and also, why the fuck are they speaking in English?! Are they ashamed of their mother tongue?! #MadeinMexico

To my American friends: if an irrelevant Netflix show called “#MadeInMexico” pops up in your suggestions; please know it represents ~roughly~ less than .1% of how mexican people actually live and act. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. @NetflixLAT